- Mediterranean Sea Becomes a SOx ECA on 1 May 2025.
- NOx Regulations for Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea Effective 1 March 2026.
- Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea Designated SOx ECAs from 1 March 2027.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has ratified amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, which includes three new Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Sulphur oxide (SOx) Emission Control Areas (ECAs): the Mediterranean Sea, Canadian Arctic, and Norwegian Sea. The amendments set higher emission standards for ships sailing within these waters, reports LR.
Mediterranean Sea SOx ECA
From 1 May 2025, the Mediterranean Sea will be a SOx ECA. Vessels trading in this area have to meet MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 14.3.5, amended by IMO Resolution MEPC.361(79). This regulation forbids the burning of fuel oils with a sulfur content above 0.10% m/m except where approved alternatives, including Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), are installed.
Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea NOx ECAs
From 1 March 2026, both the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea regions will be classified as NOx ECAs under MARPOL Annex VI Regulations 13, amended by IMO Resolution MEPC.392(82). Ships operating in these areas with marine diesel engines above 130 kW must meet the NOx Tier III standard according to the NOx Technical Code 2008. Compliance timelines differ by construction stage:
- Canadian Arctic ECA: Applies to ships with keels laid on or after 1 January 2025.
- Norwegian Sea ECA: Applies to ships with building contracts placed on or after 1 March 2026. If no contract is in place, compliance applies to ships with keels laid on or after 1 September 2026 or those delivered on or after 1 March 2030.
Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea SOx ECAs
From 1 March 2027, both the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea will be SOx ECAs. MARPOL Annex VI Regulations 14.3.6 and 14.3.7, as modified by IMO Resolution MEPC.392(82), will ban the use of fuel oils with a sulfur content over 0.10% m/m unless an approved equivalent arrangement, for example, an EGCS, is operating.
Compliance and Operational Recommendations
Lloyd’s Register urges shipowners and operators to prepare for these new ECAs by having adequate amounts of compliant fuel oil on board before approaching the new SOx ECAs. Those ships that plan to stay in the areas after the implementation date should have compliant fuel oil in operation from 00:00 hours on the relevant date. It is also advisable that fuel changeover procedures be recorded similarly to existing ECA procedures.
Existing ECAs
The IMO currently has four established ECAs for NOx and SOx emissions:
- North American area
- United States Caribbean Sea area
- Baltic Sea area
- North Sea area
These regions will continue to enforce strict emission limits alongside the newly adopted ECAs.
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Source: LR
